Week 44

This is a great time of year.  We are getting closer and closer to Christmas and time is flying.  It is wierd because in some respects time just doesn't matter as a missionary.  I just work and then I am happy and that is life.  We had a little bit of a hard week again because none of the investigators came to church.  There is some much that we need to do better.  It is hard to work all week with the expectation that 8 investigators are going to go to chruch and then something always comes up.  But we are going to be looking for new investigators and looking to meet their needs.  We found a family this week that is soo awesome!  Their names are Dulce, Arturo, Alex and Monse.  They are really great people.  The spirit has been really strong in the lessons.  They said that they are going to go to church on Sunday.

Well even though it was a little bit of a rough week with the investigators, it has also been amazing.  We had 2 exchanges this week.  I learned so much from the other elders.  There is this sick Elder in the zone named Elder Pendleton!  I went to his area and it was very humble.  Their house doesn't have flooring and they don't have hot water and they don't have lights in the bathroom or bedroom.  The area is really poor too, but the people are really open.  The streets are mud and we had a great time exploring and living the mexican life.  That area really does feel like what I imagined that it would be like.  The street didn't have lights and there are parts of the colonia that don't have any light or water or gas.  We taught a family of 8 people that are just so awesome.  One of the best parts of the mission is just getting to know so many diverse types of people.  Elder Pendleton is so humble and he is just such an awesome guy. We had a great time.  

We also had an awesome zone activity in the market this week.  There are huge markets were everyone buys everything they want.  We put up an easy up and set up chairs and a TV showing "El es la Dadiva"  We were cleaning peoples shoes and giving out hot chocolate.  The spirit was so strong because at one point we had like 7 families, 20 people surrounding the TV watching the true meaning of Christmas and drinking their hot chocolate.  The families were so receptive and we took there directions.  That was the best activity that I have ever done.  The elders and sisters were so happy.  

We had the mission Christmas party this morning and the spirit was so strong.  Every zone preformed a skit or song and we sang the 12 days of Christmas but changed the words to going with a mission theme.  On the first day of christmas the mission gave to me....and then a bunch of funny clever phrases.  President and Sister Bird are so great.  They are becoming my parents away from home....,but no one can replace you two!  But just know that I am happy and content with everything.

I will see you on Thursday,  at 2:00pm your time!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!  

Love Elder Quist  

Week 43

Hello Family and Friends,

Just to tell you mom and dad the dog bite is not that bad.  It was a medium sized dog.  So I'm all good and nothing got infected.  I have had a great week -lots of exchanges and lots of learning.  This zone is killing it.  We are teaching more lessons with a member then 2 zones combined.

Well I don't have much to tell you today but I am doing great and having a great time in my new area.  Last night we went with our investigators to a Christmas choral concert at the temple.. it was so sweet.  I got to see the investigators and recent converts from Metroplex also. 

 We are going to call you guys on christmas the 25th for 45 minutes.

I have to go now, but I love you so much and I am sorry that I barely wrote anything.

Talk to you next Monday

ELder Quist

Week 42

Hello,

Well this has been a very exciting week.  I can express how inspired I am to work hard this Christmas season.  On Monday we had a great preparation day and had an awesome zone activity and we bought 12 little siezers(I dont know how the spell that) pizzas.  and played futbol.  We are going to make hot chocolate for the zone today and play futbol, if it is not raining too hard.  

On Tuesday we saw a guy unloading his groceries from his car and we helped him. We entered his house to teach.  He(eugenio) and his wife(natali) were really receptive and I got a strong impression to teach them about the Book of Mormon from the start.  They accepted to read it and pray.  The next day that we went Natali said that she read and felt like the Book of Mormon opened up her soul and she felt so full.  I am learning how to listen to the spirit better and better and it changes everything.  

On Wednesday we went on exchanges with Elder Galindo and Elder Garcia.  I went to Elder Galindo's area and let me tell you, we had quite the experience!  Elder Galindo is the elder that was in my first zone,  His dad died 3 months ago.  He is such an inspiration.  We had a pretty calm first part of the day and then it got dark.  We were walking to our next appointment and we are going to contact someone on the side of the street when out of no where a dog came running from around the corner, passed the people that we were going to contact and for no reason went crazy and bit my calf.  It scared me pretty bad..I don't remember but I bet I did a little high pitched scream, well at least the dog made a pretty weird noise when he bit me.  We quickly went to the next appointment and washed the bite really good with alcohol and taught the lesson.  After the lesson I remembered that we were supposed to call Sister Bird if anything happened, so I called her and she said that I should just wash it really good with soap and water and call the mission doctor.  Then I thought, okay cool not a big deal.  We called the doctor and he started listing off medicine and clinics and exams that I had to do the next day to see if the dog had rabies.  We then walked 25 min to the closest members house and washed it really good with hot water when we got a call from my companion saying that we should watch out for a tall blond white guy,  that was in the zone.  He is a man that has tried to harm lds missionaries in Guatamala and my companion said he was in our zone. Elder Galindo got a little scared and we were going to try to stay in the houses teaching lesson so as to not run into him but remembered that we needed to get to the pharmacy right then to buy the medicine.  So we walked another 40 minutes to the pharmacy and by that time it was 9:00 and we went home safe and sound. So everything is good with my leg and I will let you know if I start foaming from the mouth.  The next day we found out that the guy was not in our zone.  He was just in the mission, so we made a bigger deal when we didn't need to.  hahah  Everything is good. Don't worry mom.  I am safe and healthy.

Yesterday was a little hard.  We had to drop 4 investigators. Jose Alejandro is one of them.  He told us that he doesn't want us to come back because he feels so guilty when we are there because he is struggling with a mental sickness of hatred toward the man that his mom cheated on his dad with.  He says that he can't be going to church because he feels like he doesn't know what he is going to do when he sees the man and thinks he might murder him.  We were heart broken but I have faith that he is going to be forgiven and forgive that man.  We explained to him the miracle of forgiveness.  I will let you know what happens with him next week.  It was a hard day but I am ready to work even harder.

Love you,  Keep up the good work. 

ELder Quist

Week 41

Wow this week has been amazing!  I am so grateful (even though I forgot about thanksgiving until the next day).  It is so good to hear all about Shelby coming home and seeing the videos and pictures.  I loved the picture of Shelby and Carter together.  They look so different.  I also liked the video of Shelby coming home and seeing dad and Abby even though I imagined it being a little more dramatic but I guess Shelby calmed down a little bit in these last 18 months.  Maybe it would have been a little more dramatic if she had come directly home from Peru. 

Well let me tell you a little about my week.  On Monday we all played soccer and had a mini nerf war at the church in Metroplex as a zone and ate cake for the ones that were leaving. I went around saying goodbye to the members and recent converts that I came to love so much.  There was not enough time but I did get to go to the best families. I took pictures with them ( our zone leaders made an exception).

Then when we got home I finished packing.  At ten thirty president called and informed me that I would be announced as a new zone leader in the transfer meeting the next morning.  Hermano Gonzalez came by and gave us tacos and I didnt eat very much because I was nervous.  We woke up early and got ready for the day and drove to the offices.  The assistants called out the transfers and then each missionary goes and sits with his new companion.  My new companion is Elder Aguila (eagle).  He is so sick!  We are going to work so hard together.  He wants to go to BYU after his mission and he speaks almost fluidly in english. We talk english in the house together so he can practice his accent. He has 16 months in the mission and alot of experience.  I am learning so much from him.  I feel like I don't have very much experience because I only have been in 1 area and have 9 months in the field, but little by little.  My new area is only one colonia.  It is the smallest area in the mission but we are having alot of success so far.  We taught 34 lessons my first week here and 6 investigators came to church and we contacted 118 people.  We are going to try to teach 40 lessons next week and contact 150 people.  This zone is also the best too.  The elders and sisters are working so hard.  Our ward is really sweet even though 90% of the members live in the area of the sister leaders.  Their area is really rich.  We have like 4 active member families in our area.  There are 11 missionaries in this ward and it is crazy. All 11 eat with members sometimes and it is awesome.  I am having a great time and working really hard - a little bit less sleep but all is good.  

Oh I have a story that was pretty funny.  My first day in the area my companion and I went around visting people.  I was basically just following him that day because I did not know where I was or who the people were.  At 3:30 my companion called this family to comfirm the appointment that we were going to have at 8:30.  When he was talking to him the guy asked my companion "What are you guys going to want tonight" and my companion responded.  "the usual".  I didn't know what they were talking about but I just brushed it off.  When we got to that appointment it was a family called the Garcia family.  I introduced myself and they invited us to sit down.  They seemed really nice and my companion told me that they had just been baptized a little bit ago.  Hermano Garcia went into the kitchen and asked my companion " Do you want cold glasses".  I was thinking that they were going to make us hot chocolate or something.  I was a little confused when Hermano Garcia came out with a huge beer bottle and and handed us two glasses that had been in the freezer and poured ice cold beer in them.  I looked at my companion with fear in my eyes and he said "What you don't like Indio",  I just laughed because I was thinking that it was probably a joke because I had heard really good thinks about ELder Aguila before.  He started drinking it and I figured it was apple cider that they put in a beer bottle but I was still really scared because I didn't know what I was going to do if it wasn't.  I smelt it and at that point was 50% sure it wasn't beer but I took the risk...hahha just kidding I was 100% sure .  They all started busting up laughing and thought they got me pretty good.  So I have received a warm welcome to the ward.  

I miss Metroplex but I am so glad to be here with a new companion and a fresh start.

I love this Christmas season.  There is nothing better then being a missionary during Christmas time. The people are so receptive and open to listen to a Christmas message.  We found 15 new investigators this week because we have been talking about the love of God by sending his Son.  We are sharing the video El es la Davida with everyone (He is the gift).  I love this time of year and there is no where else I would want to be.

ELder Quist

Week 40

Mom-  Wow you almost made me start crying when I saw the picture of you and Shelby hugging each other. There is so much love trapped in the simple picture.  You must be so content.  It looks like you had a great week together.  Peru looked so beautiful.  But I am sure that you didn't see the ugly side or you maybe did if you went to Shelbys areas.  Alex and Maddy must have been very happy.  Sounds like Shelby had an amazing mission and was loved by so many people.  I hope to follow her example.  It has been a really great last week in Metroplex.  I am getting transfered.  tomorrow. I will go to the offices and I will find out my new area and companion.  I am way excite and nervous.  It is like a whole new mission, because I just know one mission.  Mission Monterrey Metroplex.  I think that lots of people think that 9 months in one area is a long time, but I think that is how long president wants to leave the missionaries in the areas unless there are problems or circumtances.  But here I go.. wish me luck.  I think I will train again.  I would be happy if I did because it was a great experience.  

This last week and last Sunday has made me leave very content from this area.  This whole transfer I was thinking about how I has going to work so hard that I was going to be able to leave the area better then I found it.  I really think that I have done my part.  All of the converts that have been baptized since I was here are active and are having amazin gconversion processes.  And more then anyone is Manuel.  I want you to come here to my mission just to meet him!  He is so amazing.  Last night we went to his house and had yet another spiritual experience.  Like always when we sit down he starts going off about what happened in the last few day since our last visit.  He always has an amazing story, or something that happened that he shares with us.  This time he told us the he was really struggling for money and needed to pay a debt saturday in the night and on friday he was running around trying to figure out how he was going to pay the debt. He finally got the money and went to work on Saturday.  He was going to pay the debt after working but he got assaulted at work and they robbed him of all his money.  He was so depressed and felt like the Lord had abandoned him.  He even thought about abandoning the church and his faith.  Then after finishing working he went to his bosses office to see if there was some way he had a pay check.  He still doesn't know how, but he had a pay check that he didn't know where it came from.  He said that it was the perfect amount to pay his debt and pay tithing.  Right now he doesn´t have any money but he payed his tithing and his debt.  His faith grew a ton.  

After telling us his story he asked us how it was that we always shared a message exactly according to what he was passing by.  For a while he thought that is was a pre programed lesson that the missionaries have to share with every new convert, but then he said that he realized that it wasn´t possible because he always felt that God was talking to him with every message that we shared and scriptures that we read.  I felt really good in that moment, knowing that I am doing my part.  I explained to him that we study for 3 hours in the morning every day with a spirit of pray to know how we can help him specifically.  And then we follow the spirit to see what the Lord wants him to know.  Sometime as a missionary I wonder if I am good enough to represent the Lord but it is moments like this when investigators and new members confirm to us that I am doing my part that make every pain and hunger and lonely moment in the mission worth it.  I told Manuel that most of the time we don´t even know that what we are sharing is what the person needs to hear but we hope it is.  D&C 31 came to my mind in the moment(I have only read that section one time in my life but) I followed the impression and once again the spirit and the Lord didn´t let us down.  I didn't know what the Lord wanted to tell him but it became clear as we began to read.  He wanted Manuel to know that he would one day be in the church with his family(D&C 31:2) If he supported his trial with faith being constant in all things.  There is not a doubt in my mind that the Lord speaks to people throught the holy scriptures.  Reading the scriptures under the influence of the holy spirit is like receiving a very personalized priesthood blessing.  I didn´t have a clue why I needed to read that scripture with him but the Lord had a need to talk to his son. There is nothing better then helping the Lord talk to his children.  Manuel was hit with the spirit once again because he knew that it was true and began to cry.  I love this work.

Dad,  Sounds like you had a great week with you baby girl.  I love seeing the video every week and watching her grow week by week.  I saw the video of you and her at the car dealership.  Hey you told me that you were going to keep me updated on sports.  When the new missionaries arrive they inform me what happen while I was gone...hahah.  No just kidding I don't really think about sports that much. I pretty much forgot that all sports existed besides soccer.  But I did think that it was kind of interesting that Lebron went back to Cleveland.  I heard that Cleveland has a dream team now.  Where is Jimmer playing?

Well I am excited for you and Shelby to see each other and I can't wait to see a video of the first interaction between Shelby and Abby.  

Today I am going to finish packing and we are going to play soccer with the whole zone.  And then in the night I am going to go around to my favorite familys and say goodbye.

Love you dad 

Love you Shelby!

Elder Quist

Week 39

Mom, it is so good to hear that you made it to Peru safely.  You must be having such a good time. I can imagine the strong feelings that you are feeling this week.  Shelby is so amazing.  You must be so proud.  You are very lucky to have a daughter like her.  You know that!  So we went to the temple this morning.  You probably figured that because I did not write on monday.  It was so amazing.  I love the temple so much.  I learned so much this time and there isn't a place on earth that I have felt closer to God then in the holy temple.  I want to hear everything about you week.  I want to see pictures of Peru and you with Shelby.  and when you get back to the United States, I want to see a video of Abby and Shelby seeing each other for the first time.  I can not wait to see that.  Shelby is going to be in heaven.  I loved seeing the video of Abby climbing the stairs.  Dad, that is so awesome that you were able to stay home with Abby.  I think it would have been really hard for her to travel and more then anything, I think that Shelby is going to be able to enjoy Abby more seeing her for the first time in California.  You made the right decision.

This week has been such a good week.  It is very true dad, I have so many mixed feelings right now about transfers. First off I have no idea if I am going to be transferred or if I am going to stay and I do not know if I want to stay or go.  I can not tell you how much I love this ward.  They are amazing.  I am going to miss so many people.  I feel like I have lived here in Metroplex for my whole life.  Sometimes it is hard to remember that I lived before my mission, but actually I didn´t know what living was before my mission, serving is living.  

I love teaching the recent converts because they are so strong.  If only all members of the church could have the faith, hard work, love and humility that recent converts have.  We are teaching like 7 people that are going to be baptized in December.  4 of the 7 are thanks to recent converts.  you've got to keep up with the recent converts from Metroplex Cameron.  hahah.  How many references have you given to the misisonaries this week..if you haven´t given 10 you are not doing enough.haha Just kidding.  

We were talking to Manuel a recent convert three days ago and it is amazing the trials that he is passing through (thanks to his old actions).  He comes home from work everyday and says that he feels so lonely and has no one to talk to. So he works around the house for 2 hours and then reads the Book of Mormon for 3 hours.  That is why he is so happy when we or members go to visit him.  But his hardest trail is that his kids don't accept him anymore.  His oldest child got married last weekend and he didn´t get invited.  The worst part is that his brother and his brothers family who live next door to Manuel got invited and he didn´t... he is so sad.  But he is still so strengthed in the gospel.

Well that is all for this week.  Got to go to work.  Love you all.  Especially you Shelby.  Everyone hug her so hard for me!  

Love Elder Quist

Week 38

Buenos dias Family,

This week has been really good but really hard.  On Tuesday was the baptism of Yair.  It was so awesome (or at least I thought it was).  So much help from the members and the young women sang a special musical number.  He got baptized by a borther in the ward and was so happy.  Oh and his mom came.  We hope to baptize her soon.  And it was the birthday of one of his memeber friends and he had cake and soda afterwards.  The only bad part is that when he got baptized we forgot to show him how is was going to go down in the water, so it wasn't very smooth and when he was coming up he almost fell. Then one of the little primary girls shouted when he came out of the water "now he is all Justin Bieber like",  because his hair was all slick. I think he was just a little embrassed but afterward he was really happy with his friends so I hope he forgot about almost falling.  After the baprtism I asked my companion how he thought the baptism went and he said that he was mad and frustrated that Yair almost fell and that we forgot to practice the baptism with him and the the little girl shouted that.  I told him that he should focus on the good.  We got home and he wouldn´t say a word.  He wouldn´t say a prayer with me or talk to me.  I got really worried but decided to wait till the next morning to talked to him about it.  In the morning he wouldn´t talk or pray with me either.  So I decided to have a companionship inventory with him but he still would not say one word.  I thought he was really mad at me so I got on my knees and prayed to see what I could do to make him feel better.  The scripture story of Daniel and the lions den came to my mind.  I read it.  Daniel said that he was saved because "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, "  Although I was not trying to shut the mouth of my companion, I tried to apply this to help him open his mouth so we could talk.  I realized that nothing I was going to say would help him until the spirit and and angel of God opened his heart.  I got on my knees and prayed that God would send an angel to help my companion.  When I stood up, the cell phone rang.  It was President Bird.  I gave the phone to my companion and he talked to president and president asked him how he was. It was hard for him to open up to president as well, but he told him that he was not mad a me but that he just felt really really bad for Yair.  I think that my companion must lack confidence like Yair does and that is why he felt so much compassion towards him.  He started crying talking to president and president helped him get over his struggles.  I felt really grateful that it wasn't something that I did, although I think that If I had shown more compassion for my comp he would have trusted me more and opened up to me.  I am trying to complement him more so that he can have more confidence, but it is really hard right now. But I feel like it is getting better.

WE ARE TEACHING MELISA´S MOM!!!!!! Her name is Paulina.  It is so awesome.  She was always too busy when we were teaching Melisa but the other day her boyfriend came to church and we started teaching him.  He told us that he and Paulina wanted to get married and are going to be baptized.  Melisa and her Paulina were Jehovah´s Witnesses, so last night we went and taught them with a recent convert that was also a Jehovah's Witness before.  He shared his amazing convertion story and the spirit was so strong.  It was awesome.  He said that he thought that he knew everyhting as a Jehovah Witness, but he is just now learning to be humble and learn by the spirit.  Paulina was very content afterward and is going to go to church next sunday.  I am so happy for Melisa because she needs the support of her mom in the church.  My testimony is so strong about the truthfulness of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It changes lives and I Love it. And I love you all so much. Have fun in Peru and give Shelby a hug for me!  It feels like Shelby's mission went by fast. I am very happy that I am staying out longer! 

Love ELder Quist

Week 37

                ( the tree of life)

First off, there is bad news.  I am not going to be able to send you more pictures(not like I did anyway..haha) because there is a new rule in all of Mexico that the missionaries can not have their cameras in the street.  We have to leave them in the house.  I live in the street n-3 455.  It doesn't look that nice from outside but it is really nice inside.  

I love that qoute from Michael Merrill.  

My companion and I found new investigators this week.  Claudia and Pedro.  They are so ready.  In our first lesson Claudia said in her prayer " let us know if this is the church we should go to".  They came to church this week and the sacrament testimony meeting was so powerful.  I was so grateful because I usaully get worried that the members are going to say something crazy.  But no it was just amazing and spiritually powerful.  Oh and Gerardo blessed his baby with the Melchizedek Priesthood. He did awesome.  

I can´t believe that Shelby is almost done.  That went by way to fast.  

Our lesson with Claudia and Pedro was one of the most powerful lessons that I have been in, in my mission.  My companion and I taught the fist vision and the restoration and after I asked Claudia how she felt.  She told me that she felt amazing.  That she was filled with joy, especially when she looked at the picture of Joseph Smith in the sacred grove.  She then said " I feel like it isn´t you speaking, I feel like Christ is speaking to me".  It was great.  I felt like an instrument in the hands of the Lord.  That is what I want so badly.

I love you all so much!  Thanks for all you support!

Elder Quist

Week 36

Mom and Dad!  Sounds like you had a great week.  I love the pictures of Alex in his soccer games.  What posision is he playing?  Have they won a game yet?  Is Josh playing for Bear rRver too?  I do missing going to the Abel farm.  Sounds like everyrthing is going well at the gym.  That is great!  Who is working the front desk?  Even you dressed up for the Anniversary party mom?  That surprises me!

This week has been really great!  Manuel finally got baptized and he is soo awesome.  He got baptized on Friday and said that he felt a little weird after and didn´t know what came next.  We had explained to him about the confirmation and the gift of the Holy Ghost and it was a great opportuntity that we had to teach him the importance of the gift of the Holy Ghost.  On friday after his baptism he said he wasn't going to be able to go to church because he had to work this Sunday.  After explaining about the Holy Spirit he seems to have all of his doubts resolved.  He skipped going to work on Sunday because he knew how important it was to be confirmed.  I hope he don´t get fired but he doesn´t really worry too much! He just trusts in the Lord and it is awesome.

 On Saturday we worked really hard and found 5 new investigators.  It felt so good.  They are all awesome. 

Some of the members here are sooo cool.  They are just amazing, funny, awesome people.  Yesterday we helped a members family move ( they could only do it Sunday).  I love serving and talking to the members.  I am gaining a great respect for their humility.  Everyday a different family feeds us and they never mention that is is hard for them to pay for the food and sometimes we think that they are better off then they are because they give us feasts.  But last night we were talking with a less active members family that feeds us a feast everytime we go and they told us that the start collecting money and food little by little so by the end of the month they can feed us.  I know that they don't eat as good so we can eat amazing...I feel bad but their testimonies grow because they say the the Lord always makes it possible for them to feed the missionaries.

Hey there is good news!  I'm famous... One day my companion and I were walking in our area with sun beating down on us and the google car passed us.  We are on google maps!  Look it up you will see my companion and I working hard.   ( it is in the street N-31 in the middle of the field.  You have to zoom in and then put the little yellow man on the street and then it will show you the street view.  See if you can find me!)

I am learning so much!  I heard a quote from Elder Holland that I loved. " God´s opportunity is man´s extremity." That is why success takes so much effort!  

My companion and I were walking in the street this week and we saw a fire fly.  I have never seen one in my life.  I didn´t know this but they only light up ever 5 seconds or so.  So we decided that we wanted to catch it and bring it to our lessons for some sort of object lesson but we didn't have a jar.  It was really dark so we could only see it when it lite up. We probably looked crazy but we started  following it as it few away.  I related it to revelation.  As we followed the fire fly it kept lighting up and as we followed the light we got closer and closer to our goal until I finaly caught it in my empty chap stick container.  I accidently  squished it and it died.  So we didn't  really reach our goal but that's not the point.  The point is we tried our best! hahah.  That's my inspirational story for the week!

Love you all.  Tell shelby that I want her to buy me some sweet scripture cases because I heard they make them in Peru from leather and they dont make them here.  

Elder Quist

Week 35

Hahah Alex!  That sounds like a great story about Alex's reaction to his surprise party and a perfect relflection of how a Quist would react. That makes me remember something that all my basketball friends would joke about.  One time freshmen year we were playing a pre season game and I was playing pointgaurd, Travis passed the ball into me and I wasn't aware of how much time was on the clock and then the bench started yelling at me to look up and there was 3 seconds left and I pulled up from half court and it went in.  I acted like nothing happened I guess!  and my team went crazy..hah

You all sound great! Alex!  You have guts.  I could never play goalie.  You're awesome.  Keep up the practice.  You never answered me.. are you going to play basketball.  Who are you friends now?  Besides Cam and Michael? hah.

This week has been a like bit harder but it was still really great!  We had a few days that we only taught one lesson and didn't find new investigators.  But at the end of the week we found an amazing part member  family.  Alejandro the dad is so cool.  He is less active but wants his two kids and his wife to get baptized.  They couldn't go to church yesterday because they went to visit grandma but I hope that they will progress.  I'll keep you updated on them!  Maybe I can ask president for another transfer here to be able to stay for the baptism;)  That will be right after the next transfer. hahah.  

Yesterday Manuel had his baptismal interview with the zone leader.  He is so ready for his baptism.  I don't think that I have seen someone change their life so drastically  ever!  He is so humble, it is amazing.  He fasted 3 times last week and is seeing miracles.  He paid his tithing to the bishop this Sunday and is just so ready to do whatever the Lord wants him to.  He is so good to us!  He buys us a peach soda everytime that we come over.  On Wednesday it was his birthday so my companion and I went looking for a cake.  We found it in the market and went to his house to celebrate.  He seemed a little sad when we got there because his kids forgot his birthday!  And he lives alone with his mom but he knows that these are just trials.  We had a good short visit and I think it helped him alot.  During his interview he had to leave crying again because the spirit was so strong.  I wouldn't trade these experiences for anything, not even lemon yogurt pancakes! but maybe Greg's home made cookies;) hahh

Oh there is this street N-13.. it is haunted!  It is scary.  We try to stay away but sometimes we have to go.  First there is a member were we went to eat and after eating we were going to share a message and then the sister started telling us that she is scared at nights in her house.  She said that there is a 5 year old kid that sits on her couch at night and then goes running around and disappears.  Then sometimes she is sleeping and the kids comes to the door and says mama.  Yeah... it is scary but we asked her if she had dedicated her house and she said no so we dedicated the house.  I hope that it helps.  The other thing is that there is a devil dog in that street.  I sent a picture... but yeah I don't like that street.

I feel like I know everyone in the area. We contacted a guy and he told us that he lived in N-17 402 and then I asked him if he was family with Carlos and Brenda and he said no. why?  I said - because Carlos and Brenda live in that house.  He got mad that I caught him in his lie and stromed off...I guess it saved us time. 

Well that's all.  I love the mission.  It is hard.. and I am learing paciencia and charity.  

Love Elder Quist

Week 34

Family and friends,  Elder Quist reporting from Mission Mexico Metroplex.  I AM STAYING IN MY FIRST AREA FOR AT LEAST ONE MORE TRANSFER.  I am so excited.. although last night I was kind of hoping that the zone leaders would tell me that I had transfers just to go to another zone and meet more people and have a fresh start..but I am happy that I am staying one more transfer because I feel like I need to finish one more transfer here and finish strong in Mission Mexico Metroplex. hahah.  I love this ward. and I love the members.  I am starting to get to know that members better and better now because I can now have a normal conversation without using memorized phrases.  There are so many sweet youth in this ward.  And the young men are awesome because the always help us.  We are good friends with all of them.  Yesterday I was sitting in priesthood opening exercises and all the young men started waving at me to come over.  They said that they were planning their activities for the trimester and wanted to plan a sleep over at our house..hahha.  and they were serious.  I sadly told them that it would not be possible.  They said " come on elder Quist, have a little fun.  We promise that the next day we will go to all of your appointments with you."  it was tempting...

We are teaching some awesome families.  Yesterday was so awesome at chruch.  One of the members that always helps us bring people to chruch brought one of our investagtors to chruch and then bore her testimony so strong and I know it helped the investigators so much.  

Alex HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!  I love you so much man!  You are so awesome.  Keep up the good work in sports.  I hope you had a great day yesterday!  

Love you so much mom and dad.

Tell Gracie that I love her.  Send me a picture of her arm. 

Elder Quist

Week 33

Family!  How is it going?  I will try to write more this time...

So conference was pretty great.  Elder Shakespeare who has chickenpox was with me watching the conference in English (except the talks that were in Spanish).  I loved hearing those talks in Spanish! It was so awesome because I could imagine that before my mission I would have not understood anything!  But as I listened to the talks I understood everything.  I have a love and a passion for learning new languages now!  I want to serve like 7 different missions so I can learn 7different  languages.  The truth is that it is the best way to learn a language because you rarely have to sit down and study for hours and never have to go to classes and you learn it so well.  I just need to expand my vocab and some principles that I don't understand.  Elder Shakespeare was asking me the other day "have you dominated the subjuntive tense yet"  and I said " I don't even know what the subjunctive tense is,  I just talk how it feels right and hope that it works out,  and it seems to work!"  haha.  I think that I should sit down and study a book of the Spanish principles some times but I like just practicing and reading the Book of Mormon out loud to practice my accent!  

This week has been really amazing!  Noe the convert that got baptized like 2 months ago came to my companion and I last Sunday and told us that he had a dream that he was serving  a mission and he says that when he woke up he had the strongest desire to serve a mission.  There is nothing better.  Melisa went to all 4 sessions of conference and loved it.  Gerardo is getting ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood this week!  So many miracles. 

 I am loving life (although I have soo many bug bites all over my ankles!  I don't know why but they just love my ankles.  

Some of the little kids in the streets love to yell bad words at me in English because that is the only thing that they know.  And some other kids just want to learn English so I teach them gospel words.  

I have 7 months in this area.  I want to stay because Manuel is going to be baptized the next transfer!  

Well that is all the time I have... Sorry! I never take picture!  I will take more!

Alex keep being awesome.  Practice hard in soccer.  You are going to try out for the basketball time right?

Elder Quist

Week 32

It was great to hear from you this week!  I am always inspired then I read you letters.  You make me a better person.  That is so cool that Cameron had another random friend over at the house! How did JT come to know the church.  Is he the one in the picture when Can opened his call.  The one that I don't  recognize? 

Carter sounds good!  I still can't believe that he is already home and at college!  

Tell President Merrill hi for me, and tell him how much I admire and respect him.

Okay these that four days have been a little crazy.  Elder Oyola, an elder in my district is sick with chicken pox and we are having to do intercambios to keep the two areas open and working with all of the investigators.  Well I took too much time writing Cameron so blame him but I am out of time now!  Write you next week.  Love you all!

Elder Quist

Week 31

Dear Family,

WOW that is sooo awesome ( referring to Cameron's mission call)!  I love hearing everything!

I have soo much too tell you!

  This week has been one of the most spiritual weeks of my mission!  It was amazing.  We had many crazy experiences and I learned and grew so much.  I´ll just tell you one of the many amazing things that happened this week.

(Adam told a wonderful experience that he wants to share himself when he gets back - so I guess you will have wait - haha)

  

I couldn't be any happier right now!  I don´t doubt that this is where I need to be!  It is so peaceful! Love the mission so much!

Love you so much mom!  I can not tell you how happy it makes me to see how good of a father I have and how much you love him!

Alex that is so cool that you are going to be on the field for byu game!  Who are they going to playing?!

Love Elder Quist

Week 30

Wow the weeks go by so fast here!  I can not believe everything that has happened in the last 7 months. It has been so great!  Life sounds good at home!  It was weird seeing Carter in the picture of Brooks birthday..I feel like home does not exist, but is just a fictionary place of babies and parties!  hahahah.  

This week has been so amazing and inspiring!  On Thursday we had a mission training conference with ELder Pieper.  He is a area seventy!  President Bird divided the mission into 3 groups so that it would be more personal training!  I learned so much!  He taught about eternal progress and how our goal in the mission is to help people have eternal progress.  We are going to start working more with recent converts and the people that haven't made covenants in the temple, so they can prepare to continue progressing!  The Lord wants quality convert and therefore I do too.   We have found alot of people this week that are so ready to receive the gospel.  Tenemos que "comenzar con el fin en mente".

We had a ward activity this week for the Mexican indepence day!  It was great! There were alot of new investigators there.  We are going to have alot more work with the members now!  My companion and I made the ice cream as part of our service hours for the week!  They put chili sauce on their ice cream! It is actually really cold!  In Monterrey they call ice cream "nieve"  which means snow.  Shelby how do they call ice cream in Peru?  

On Wednesday Melisa was baptized!  She has been working so hard to repent and be ready for her baptisms.  So it was so amazing to finally help her be baptized!  She felt so good after the baptism!  She said that when she came up from water, she saw that everything was brighter and happier then she had seen.  She has been so burdened down by past mistakes that she was literally living in darkness and when she was baptized these sins left completely!  I can't tell you how good it is to see how happy she was.  And somehow the baptismal services always turns out better then we plan.  Alot of the Relief Society sisters showed up at the baptism and sister Aburto brought a cake to eat after!  Melisa felt really good to be able to have so much support!  I think she is going to marry Pablo and then get sealed in a year!  It is amazing!

What else...

I think that is it for this week!  Off to play Quitich with the zone!  I don't know how that is going to work, but we´ll see!  

Love Elder Quist

Week 29

The new Elders in the ward are way cool.  They divided our area in half so now our area is alot smaller.  It is nice not to walk so much but we lost alot of our progressing investigators...well I wouldnt say lost but we had to hand them over to the Elders.  It is sad not to be able to visit them anymore but i know that they are good hands.  Elder Shakespeare and Elder Oyola are the new missionaries in our ward!  Elder shakepeare in from southern utah. he is way cool!  he is really good a american football and was going to go and play football for the university of utah because he got a scholarship to play there but he dicided not too. He is really shy and timid for a big football player.  It is funny to see his precetion of mexico because I was just in his shoes 6 months ago but now I am completely acostumed to the mexican life.  The new elders are sleeping on the floor in our house so everything is pretty hectic but it is fun.  

That is such an awesome quote that you sent me "Love God and He will enable you to love others even when the disappoint you". It was perfectly inspired for me this week!  I need to love the Lord more so that I can show more love for my companion.  It is really hard sometimes because he never wants to talk about things that we can do better.  It is hard being a trainer but I know the Lord wants me to learn to be more patient with him when he is disobedient and be able to show my love for him no matter what he does.  Sometimes I am really direct with him and I think that I know what is best, so I try to control him, but that is just the pride that is in me and I am learning to be humble.  But really I do love my companion so much and we have sooo much fun together working really hard.

Yesterday we taught one of our investigators a 9 year old kid named Axel!  He is a part member family and he is sooo funny!  We found him because our recent convert Lizbet who is also 9 years old told us that we could visit her neighbors.  We usually teach Axel in the house of Lizbeth.  Usually lizbeth is at school when we teach Axel, but yesterday was Sunday so we planned to teach Axel with Lizbeth present so she could share the feelings she felt when she was baptized.  She got sooo excited and couldn't stop asking when we were going to teach Axel!  So when we got to her house with Axel before we could sit down and say a prayer she started sharing the scripture that she wanted to share.  We let her calm down and then said the prayer.  After she went off again with reading random scripture in the book of mormon and trying to make sense of them!  Axel just sat there listening really intently and the father of Lizbeth was busting up laughing the whole time because after everything Lizbeth said she would say, "and I share these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen!"  She said that like 5 times in the lesson!  After she was done, my campanion and I shared a short message  and then Axel started in saying " well Lizbeth I would like to share something with you too...and he started saying something like the moon helps us to pray to God and then he shared it in the name of Jesus Christ amen.  Then Lizbeth started to share another scripture and shared it in the name of Jesus Christ amen!  By this point my campanion and I were laughing pretty hard too...  It was so funny to just see them, two kids, bible bashing with the book of mormon not even knowing what they were saying.  And then to finish it off, Axel said "brothers,  are you going to be in the street at 10:00 because there is going to be a meteor shower.  I just wanted to share that with you. and then the Dad of Lizbeth said " and are you going to share it in the name of Jesus Christ? "   

Well other then that the week was really good!  We are going to change houses this week so it is going to be really busy but I am so excited to be here in Mexico and to be learning and growing so much!  

I know my Savior lives!  When I pray fevently He answers my prays in the best way for me! 

Love you!!

Elder Quist

Week 28

Wow that letter from Micheal Merrill was awesome!  He is such a great example!

This week has been such a good week!  We are getting a new pair of missionaries in our ward.  It is going to be great! They come tomorrow!  I hope another white missionary will come so that I am not alone not understanding the Mexican jokes that they make...I am learning little by little!  We are having lot a sucess with a few of our investigators.  It is great to see the progress in them and see how they are changing their lives!  We had another training meeting on Saturday in the offices and we have to go back to the offices tomorrow to pick up the new missionaries, so a lot of traveling!  But nothing compared to what Shelby is doing!  I could go to and from the offices 20 times in the time she takes to go there and back once!  

Good story- On Saturday we had lessons planned and then alot of them fell through so we called our progressing investigator Manuel who is going to be baptized in 2 weeks!  He picked up the phone and said yeah come on over.  So we quickly went to his hermanador (don't know how to say in English) Hermano Cerda so he could come with us to the lesson!  We got to Hermano Cerdas house and it started pouring!  It rains so hard and so suddenly here!  So we waited 10 minute and the rain stopped. and we thought that it was all clear to go to the lesson, but then we started walking and realized that the streets were still rivers even though it had completely stopped raining!  For the next 30 minutes we went on an adventure with Hermano Cerda the old first counselor in the stake presidency.  What should have been a 5 minute walk turned into a 30 maze to find what streets were not rivers and what speed bumps we could use as bridges to the other side!  It was pretty awesome!  We used rocks as stepping stones to cross some of the rivers!  We finally got to the lesson and it was literally the best lesson that I have ever been in on my misison!  Wow that was a great day!

I think you all are going to look at me weird when I get back because I am starting to adopt some Mexican habits that are gross...like pizza with alot ketchup.  Yeah it actually is good.  Or maybe I just think that it is good!  haha

That is so crazy that you are going to get carter. It went by so fast!  It seems like just yesterday that I said goodbye to him!  and now the time is going by even faster that I am on the mission!  Tell carter I say hi!  I cant believe he is home!  Is Gracie just so happy!?

Abby is soo cute!  She is getting so big!  I miss hanging out with you and the McCay family.  I loved Abby's video, she is going to be a good panio player!   

Well I am just loving it here in Mexico and loving every one of the experiences that I am having!  I feel so blessed!  I love you all so much! Tell Carter to write me now that he is home!  

Love you mom and dad so much!

Elder Quist.   

Week 27

WOW!  crazy couple weeks!  I can't believe how fast everything is going by!  I have 6 months in the mission field  and have already been with my son ( the new missionary I am training) for 5 weeks!  We are having so much success together and we are working hard!  Sorry that I haven't written in a little while. It is because we went to the temple today and our p day changed!  and two mondays ago I forgot to tell you that I wouldn't be writting the next monday..sorry.  I got distracted because just as I finish writing you President Bird called me and told me that there would be a change in our district and that I would be a new district leader.  So have been really busy these last couple of weeks planning training for the district and going to district leader training meeting in the offices!  I am learing so much! I have alot less time for myself (like I had any in the first place) but I love it because I love serving other missionaries!  

I can't really remember what happened this week but I think it was a amazing week because I feel really close to the Lord.  We have a new bishop now and I am excited to work with him and help this ward progress!  

I feel the love the Lord has for me in my life and I am so grateful for that!  Carters letter really inspired me this week!  I can not believe that he is done!  Tell him to write me when he gets there! 

Love you all so much!  Keep doing what you are doing because you are awesome!  

Love ELder Quist

Week 26

This week has been a great week for my companion and I.  The misison life is very very hard!  Yesterday was a really hard day!  We did not teach one lesson to an investigator!  That is the first day in my mission that we did not teach a single lesson and it felt terrible! It is not because I think that the number of lessons I teach is the amount of success that I have, but more that I think that I know that lessons are necessary to bless peoples lives!   It made me reflect alot!  I asked myself if it was because I was not working hard enough or not dedicated enough.  I can say with peace in my heart that that is not the reason.  I dont think there has been a minute on my mission that I haven't been trying my very hardest (that isn't  to say that I haven't made thousands of mistakes because I have but I am trying my best). Mom that's funny that you sent that talk because I was actually listening to that same talk by Elder Bednar this morning (by the way I GOT THE PACKAGE!!!!!!) and the scripture in Mathew 11:29-30 really impressed me!  I know that the Lord is making up for my mistakes! A yoke is the perfect example of how the atonement of Jesus Christ works!  He pulls the load that we can not pull because of our many weakness!  I know that I need to learn to rely on the Lord for my strength even more.

This week I was studying in John 17:3  that says "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. "

All we have to do to receive eternal life is know our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!  There are 4 footnotes in the english scripture for the word"know"  

Look them up!  and study it!  They are the 4 requirements to know God!  Study it and I'll tell you next week what I think they are!

Dad-  I am doing good with the Spanish!  I feel like I can talk about everything I need to pretty much, but a couple times per day I'll have to ask my companion how to say something!

Love you all!  I am so happy and everything is great

Love Elder Quist

Week 25

Mom to answer your question -Of course they have EFY here!  and it is all free!  I think all of the members of the United States pay for everything for the poorer countries.  My trainer said that his mom payed 30 pesos a month for his mission!  That is like 3 dollars!  and EFY is free!  But if you think about it, it is fair because we are so blessed in the United States.  

This week is really good, I have been reflecting alot this week.  Our district leader is Elder Gardner from utah.  He is so awesome and such a great example.  The companion of Elder Gardner is ELder Galindo.  First I will just tell you that the friends that I am making with members and elders and investigators are going to be friends for eternity.  I feel really close to so many of the Elders in the mission.  

This Sunday we had a baptism of a little girl namber Lizbeth!  She is 9 years only and very awesome!  She has such an interesting personallity.  The lessons that we have with her are always an awesome experience!  She was so happy to be baptized.  The baptismal service was right after church, so my companion and I were filling the baptismal fount during the 3 hours of church and Lizbeth kept leaving her primary class to see how full the fount was because she was so excited!  The baptsimal service was so spiritual and everything went so smoothly. It was even better then we thought it would be because we weren't planing a musical number, but secretly the aunte of Lizbeth planned a musical number and they are amazing singers!  The spirit was so strong!  After the baptismal service we went to their house with all their extended family to eat dinner and we ate some amazing tacos!  

Also yesterday we found a new less active family to teach and they want to come back to activity. Then we found a new part member family and started teaching them and put a baptismal date with the girl named Jasmin.  Also yesterday Gerardo Jimenez who was baptized 4 weeks ago, blessed the sacrament.  Overall a really good day!  

Well this is all.  

Love you so much mom and dad and alex and abby!  

Elder Quist 

Week 24

Well I feel really strengthened after reading the letters from Cameron and Alex!  Alex I am glad you are home and doing well.

This week has been pretty amazing!  I feel like I am becoming a better missionary every day! (and skinnier)....haha.   All the sisters in the ward always come up to me and say " Elder Quist you look so skinny, are you eating good"  I really don't think that I have lost any weight, I think they are just crazy but maybe I am the one who is crazy!  We had a great day yesterday!  We had 8 investigators in the sacrement meeting!  yeah yeah!  It made me pretty happy to see these people progressing!  I think we are going to have 2 baptisms pretty soon because 2 young men that aren't  members went to EFY and now they want to be baptized!  I don't know if you remember me telling you about Israel but he is an old investigator and his parents told him that he couldn't be baptized but I think they are going to let him now because they know that he has such a strong testimony now!  He bore his testimony yesterday!  I think we are going to have 4 baptisms this transfer!  

My companion and I are doing great!  He is really awesome.  He is called ELder Avila.  He is from mexico DF.  He is really smart and I am learning a lot from him!  I think we are going to get along really good!  He corrects my Spanish alot and I like it because sometimes I don't know that I am making mistakes!

Well maybe I will write a little more later today but for now I have to go! 

Love you all so much! 

Elder Quist